Week 2 Review: Arkansas’ 91st General Assembly

The Arkansas Legislature has wrapped up its second week of the 91st General Assembly. A quick recap of the past week’s activity:

The Revenue & Taxation Committee passed Governor Hutchinson’s $50 million tax cut plan that would reduce income taxes of those making less than $21,000 per year. A competing tax cut bill by Representative Warwick Sabin (D) also passed the House Revenue & Taxation Committee. Sabin’s bill would create an income tax credit in the amount equal to 5% of what a taxpayer is eligible to receive under the federal Earned Income Tax credit. The competing bills will be heard by the full House this week.

The Arkansas Health Food Improvement Act, sponsored by Representative Mary Bentley (R), passed through the House Public Health Committee this week. If approved, the legislation would restrict food stamp benefits to healthy foods and prohibit the use of food stamps to purchase food and beverages that have “insufficient nutritional value.”

The House of Representatives passed Representative Andy Mayberry’s (R) bill that would amend the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Act to allow $8.5 million of the tobacco settlement money to be spent on individuals waiting on the developmental disabilities waiting list.

Representative Mayberry also passed the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act through the House Public Health Committee. If approved, it would ban dilation and evacuation abortion in the second trimester.

The Senate passed Representative Doug House’s (R) bill that would extend the rulemaking deadline for the medical marijuana amendment from 120 days to 180 days.

More than 400 bills have been filed so far. The House and Senate reconvene today.

Visit www.inveritasinfo.com for weekly recaps of the 91st General Assembly.

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